Parallel Verses

New Heart English Bible

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

New American Standard Bible

For the customs of the peoples are delusion;
Because it is wood cut from the forest,
The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

King James Version

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Holman Bible

for the customs of the peoples are worthless.
Someone cuts down a tree from the forest;
it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.

International Standard Version

For the practices of the people are worthless. Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest; it's the work of the hands of a craftsman with an ax.

A Conservative Version

For the customs of the peoples are vanity. For [a man] cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

American Standard Version

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

Amplified


For the customs and decrees of the peoples are [mere] delusion [exercises in futility];
It is only wood which one cuts from the forest [to make a god],
The work of the hands of the craftsman with the axe or cutting tool.

Bible in Basic English

For that which is feared by the people is foolish: it is the work of the hands of the workman; for a tree is cut down by him out of the woods with his axe.

Darby Translation

For the statutes of the peoples are vanity; for it is a tree cut out of the forest, worked with a chisel by the hands of the artizan;

Julia Smith Translation

For the laws of the peoples, this vanity: for they cut down a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

King James 2000

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Lexham Expanded Bible

For the statutes of the peoples [are] vanity, for it [is] a tree cut down from [the] forest, [the] work of [the] hands of a craftsman with the tool.

Modern King James verseion

For the customs of the people are vain; for one cuts a tree out of the forest with the axe, the work of the hands of the workman.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Yea all the customs and laws of the Gentiles are nothing but vanity. They hew down a tree in the wood with the hands of the workman, and fashion it with the axe;

NET Bible

For the religion of these people is worthless. They cut down a tree in the forest, and a craftsman makes it into an idol with his tools.

The Emphasized Bible

For as for the prescribed customs of the peoples, vanity, they are, - For a tree out of the forest, one cutteth down, Work for the hands of a skilled workman with the axe:

Webster

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

World English Bible

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

Youngs Literal Translation

For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, For a tree from a forest hath one cut, Work of the hands of an artificer, with an axe,

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
For the customs
חקּה 
Chuqqah 
Usage: 104

of the people
עם 
`am 
Usage: 1867

הבל הבל 
hebel 
Usage: 73

כּרת 
Karath 
Usage: 287

a tree
עץ 
`ets 
Usage: 329

out of the forest
יער 
Ya`ar 
Usage: 58

the work
מעשׂה 
Ma`aseh 
Usage: 234

of the hands
יד 
Yad 
Usage: 1612

of the workman
חרשׁ 
Charash 
Usage: 37

References

Easton

Axe

Fausets

Hastings

Morish

Context Readings

False Gods Contrasted With The Creator

2 Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it not move.



Cross References

Isaiah 44:9-20

Everyone who makes an engraved image is vain. The things that they delight in will not profit. Their own witnesses do not see, nor know, that they may be disappointed.

Isaiah 45:20

Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can't save.

Leviticus 18:30

Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them: I am the LORD your God.'"

1 Kings 18:26-28

And they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, "Baal, answer us." But there was no voice, nor any who answered. And they limped about the altar they had made.

Isaiah 40:19-31

A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it.

Jeremiah 2:5

Thus says the LORD, "What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Jeremiah 10:8

But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols. it is but a stock.

Hosea 8:4-6

They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I did not approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off.

Habakkuk 2:18-19

"What value does the engraved image have, that its maker has engraved it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make mute idols?

Matthew 6:7

And in praying, do not use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

Romans 1:21

Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but their thinking became nonsense, and their foolish heart was darkened.

1 Peter 1:18

knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain